Designed specifically for Africa, this toolkit provides a roadmap for establishing and strengthening Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) – essential frontline institutions in our collective cyber defence. It offers hands-on guidance, operational tools and policy templates that will help governments, institutions and technical communities across the region prevent, detect and respond to cyber threats with greater confidence and coordination.
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The Commonwealth Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) Toolkit for Africa
Main page for this area of work
These guidelines, adopted by Commonwealth Law Ministers, draw on a wealth of academic and practitioner sources and other international guidelines on electronic evidence.
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Guidelines on the Treatment of Electronic Evidence in Criminal Proceedings
By Rajiv Nair, Public Sector Governance Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat
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Blog: Why the real AI gold rush isn’t where everyone thinks
By Owen Tudor, Secretary of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group, a Commonwealth-accredited organisation.
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Blog: Workers’ rights improving in Commonwealth countries
The Commonwealth Secretariat’s Human Rights Unit recently partnered with the Malawi Ministry of Justice to host a two-day working session in Lilongwe for 55 members of Malawi’s National Mechanism for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRF).
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Commonwealth supports Malawi’s preparation for the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review
This report is a record of the proceedings of the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa held from 6 to 11 May 2024 at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel, Accra, Ghana, under the theme ‘Strengthening institutions and promoting transparency: A means of fighting corruption in Commonwealth Africa’.
The conference was convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of Ghana, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
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Fourteenth Commonwealth Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting for Heads of Anti-corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa
The conference was convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of Ghana, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
A major Commonwealth conference this week set its aim to control and reduce corruption across Africa.
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Commonwealth conference sets out vision for cutting corruption in Africa
Nigeria has launched a new joint case team to step up its response to cybercrimes that affect people and businesses at home and abroad.
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Nigeria launches national cybercrime team with Commonwealth and UK support
The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has commended key election stakeholders of Trinidad and Tobago on a well-organised parliamentary election, in preliminary findings on the 2025 polls, but urged action to regulate campaign finance to ensure a level playing field for all candidates.
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Commonwealth Observer Group says Trinidad and Tobago elections well organised, and notes areas for improvement
22 April 2025 to 26 April 2025
(AST Atlantic Standard Time)
Event
A Commonwealth Observer Group is in Trinidad and Tobago to observe the country's 28 April Parliamentary polls.
By Raj Nair, Public Sector Governance Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat
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Blog: Digital colonialism and AI - A call to action to policy makers
The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched five new model contracts intended to help governments negotiate fairer and more transparent investment contracts.
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New model contracts to help governments negotiate fairer investment contracts
A recent Commonwealth workshop has bolstered the ability of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone to better apply human rights principles in protecting fundamental freedoms across the country.
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Sierra Leone Human Rights Commission strengthened to protect fundamental freedoms
This edition of the Commonwealth Cyber Journal brings to the forefront key issues that demand our collective attention and action. We are proud to present articles offering insights and practical approaches to protecting critical information infrastructure, an area of growing concern as essential services and national assets increasingly rely on interconnected systems. Lessons shared in this edition highlight the vulnerabilities of member countries and the innovative strategies being deployed to secure these vital sectors. As digital platforms become arenas for harassment, coercion, and harm, the need for a coordinated response rooted in human rights and gender-sensitive approaches becomes more paramount. The contributions in this issue challenge us to consider how cyber policies practices and guidelines may better protect the most vulnerable among us.
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Commonwealth Cyber Journal: Volume 3
Election management officials in Cameroon have expressed their appreciation to the Commonwealth Secretariat for a series of capacity building workshops to help deliver credible, transparent and inclusive elections.
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Cameroon election officials commend Commonwealth workshop ahead of poll
At the Commonwealth Secretariat, a discussion on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and access to justice, as part of its Rule of Law Conversations series, generated robust conversations and spirited debates long after the session ended.
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Commonwealth Secretariat holds vital dialogue about AI and its impact on legal systems
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has launched two new initiatives to help countries, particularly the least developed nations, find the right pro bono legal support to improve access to justice for all.
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New initiatives launched to improve access to justice in least developed countries
More than 70 judges, prosecutors, and investigators in Seychelles have received a critical skills upgrade to better handle complex cybercrime cases that harm people at home and abroad.
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70 Seychellois judges and officials trained to tackle cybercrime head-on
Felicity grew up in a township under apartheid, where laws dictated her future before she could dream of one. Now, as Namibia’s chief legislative drafter, she is rewriting those laws with the Commonwealth support to ensure they support the rights and aspirations of all Namibians.
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Namibia’s drive for just laws gains momentum with Commonwealth support
6 March 2025 to 6 March 2025
(GMT)
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat will host a hybrid rule of law seminar on the advisory opinions on climate change on 6 March 2025.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, will join Caribbean leaders at the upcoming Caribbean Community (CARICOM) meeting to find solutions to pressing regional challenges, including climate resilience, economic development, and food security.
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Commonwealth Secretary-General joins CARICOM leaders in Barbados to tackle regional challenges
This report provides a summary of the findings and recommendations contained in the five regional reports Addressing the Role of Bystanders on Online Violence Against Women and Girls in the Commonwealth produced by the Secretariat in 2023.
The report presents the root causes and impacts of cyberviolence as being gender based, with a disproportionate impact on females where there is intersectionality of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, poverty, disability and other socioeconomic factors.
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Cyberviolence Against Women and Girls in the Commonwealth
The report presents the root causes and impacts of cyberviolence as being gender based, with a disproportionate impact on females where there is intersectionality of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, poverty, disability and other socioeconomic factors.
Statements by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC:
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Peace and justice in Mozambique
The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched a publication, A Commonwealth Guide to Case Management, that seeks to help courts manage civil cases more efficiently. The guide, produced by the Secretariat’s Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform (OCCJR), is designed for practitioners, judicial officers and policymakers. It provides best practice and practical advice to improve court administration and proceedings.
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A guide aims to accelerate improved access to justice across the Commonwealth
A Commonwealth team has arrived to observe Ghana’s general elections. They began by observing the special vote, which allows registered members of the security agencies, media and electoral officials to cast their ballots ahead of the election scheduled for 7 December 2024.
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Commonwealth observers start work on Ghana’s election